Watchcase



(No Model.)-

L. E. SWEETSER. WATGHGASE.

No. 494,725. Patented Apr. 4, 1893.

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SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 494,725, dated April 4, 1893. Application filed November 21, 1892. Serial No. 452,707. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, LYMAN E. Swnnrsnm, of WVakefield, county of Middlesex, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in \Vatohcases, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specificatiomlike letters on the drawings representing like parts.

Watch cases are chiefly of two classes, huntin g and open-face, each class having, however, an inner and an outer back. The inner and outer backs when composed of gold and of silver add materially to the cost of the watch, the outer back being the most expensive because of the greater quantity of precious metal required for its production. The outer back or outermost exposed surface of the watch soon becomes scratched and tarnished in use, and many expedients, such as chamois skin bags, or chamois skin lined pockets for the reception of the watch, have been resorted to. I have studied to produce a watch case in which the outerback will not become scratched or tarnished, and at the same time, while preserving the beauty of the watch case, reduce its cost. I have noticed that the inner back retained its original bright appearance and in use was not liable to be scratched, and I therefore combined with it an outer back made as an annulus with aglass inserted into it after the mannerof the face of an open faced watch, such a watch to an ordinaryobserver presenting the appearance of a watch having an outer back wholly of metal, and the back of such a watch will not show a scratch, nor will it grow dull.

Figure 1, is a side elevation of a watch case embodying my invention; and Fig. 2, an edge view, partially in section.

The center frame a, of any usual shape or size, has, as shown in this present embodiment of my invention an open face composed of a metallic annulus a and a glass a the annulus being hinged to the frame at (L The frame has an inner metallic backb hinged to it at b, the exposed face of the back, of gold or silver, being finely polished and finished in usual manner. At present an entirely smooth gold back is considered very desirable, and the finish of the face of the inner back is utilized or made available as the surface, which, to the sight characterizes the watch. The outer back is composed of a metallic annulus c, hinged to the frame at c and shaped to receive a glass 0 An outer back of this kind, havinga glass, as stated, shows through it the finished outer face of the inner back, and to the average observer the introduction of the glass portion 0 is not noticeable.

A watch constructed in accordance with my invention results in a very material saving in cost, and the watch in use will retain at the back the bright appearance of a new watch, and the back will not in wear present the scratched appearance common to gold and silver backed watches.

I am aware that it is common to use glass for one side of an open faced watch, also that it is common to employ glass in the inner back of the watch to expose a picture, and also to expose works, but prior to my invention I am not aware that a watch having a plain orsolid inner back has ever had combined with it an outer back having a large portion of it composed of glass to cover and protect the inner back from air and wear, and yet expose the inner back to present to the eye the characteristic finish or style of the watch.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s

A watch case frame having a metallic inner back finished to give to the case the external appearance desired for the back, and an outer back composed of a metallic annulus, and a glass through which the most of the metallic inner back is visible, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LYMAN E. SIVEETSER.

Witnesses:

GEO. W. GREGORY, EMMA J. BENNETT. 

